title: Caregivers' beliefs associated with medication adherence among children and adolescents with epilepsy.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between adherence to prescribed antiepileptic medication in a convenience sample of caregivers (n = 100) of children diagnosed with epilepsy, ages 2-14 years, and caregivers' beliefs about the medication. Using the Beliefs about Medication Questionnaire and Medication Adherence Report Scale, caregivers were questioned about beliefs of necessity and concerns associated with medication adherence. Using bivariate linear regression, no significant correlation was found between necessity for antiepileptic drug treatment or caregiver's concerns and medication adherence. Nevertheless, although only 28% of the respondents reported complete adherence, the majority of caregivers perceived their child's medication was necessary to maintain good health. Educational aspects and social desirability in this setting may have contributed to the discordance between adherence and caregivers' beliefs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child and Adolescent Neurology, Rockford Health System, Rockford, IL, USA. pjm1784@comcast.net
authors.forename: Patricia Johnson
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Miner
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ewing
authors.forename: Laina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gerace
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants